Murfreesboro and Rutherford County has a rich history shared by all. From prehistoric hunters through the horrors of the Civil War to the change and growth of our more recent past, the stories we share help define us as a community. During the month of October, join Stones River National Battlefield and its partners for programs featuring Murfreesboro and Rutherford County's role in our nation's history.

During October, several activities and programs are planned for the Sharing Our Past Month. Rangers at Stones River National Battlefield, located at 1563 North Thompson Lane in Murfreesboro, will give daily talks or tours at 2 p.m. On Tuesdays, at 11:30 a.m. bring your lunch to the Heritage Center of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County, located at 225 West College Street in Murfreesboro for community heritage talks. Each Saturday during Heritage Month, take a bicycle tour of Stones River National Battlefield at 9 a.m.

Other events taking place during the month are:

October 3: Join the staff at Stones River National Battlefield for a series of programs including a workshop on care of historic headstones, a volunteer project focused on cleaning headstones in the national cemetery, and special ranger guided walks including a special presentation of Hallowed Ground: A Lantern Tour of Stones River National Cemetery. 150 Years of Hallowed Ground will take place from 8:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

October 4: Inspired by Sam Davis's birthday, this event will include beer tastings by local craft breweries, food available for purchase by some of the area's best food trucks, a corn hole tournament, house tours, a kid's area, and more. Hogs, Hominy and Hops will take place at 2 p.m. at the Historic Sam Davis Home and Plantation, located at 1399 Sam Davis Road in Smyrna.

October 6: Commemorate the birthday of local Civil War legend, Sam Davis, with free admission to all guests at the Historic Sam Davis Home and Plantation. The historic site is open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

October 16: A memorable mourning tour of Evergreen Cemetery will take place with tours beginning at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. The tour is a 45-minute walk through the incredible history of Evergreen Cemetery. Comfortable walking shoes, weather appropriate clothing and flashlights are recommended. Admission is $15 per person. Tours will depart from the entrance of Evergreen Cemetery, located at 519 Greenland Drive in Murfreesboro.

October 16-17, 23-24, 30: Take a haunted tour of the Davis family home and the surrounding grounds or make a full night of it with dinner before the tour and a scary movie afterwards. A Frightful Night and Ghost Tours at the Historic Sam Davis Home and Plantation begins at 7 p.m.

October 17: Join the Native History Association on a hike that explores recently discovered remnants of the town of Old Jefferson including a route of the Trail of Tears. The tour starts at 9 a.m.

Author Kevin Horgan will sign copies of his new work of historical fiction, "The March of the Orphans" at the Stones River National Battlefield Visitor Center. Park rangers and volunteers will present programs featuring musket firing demonstrations and the real life stories of the Orphan Brigade at 11 a.m., 1, 2 & 3 p.m.

October 18: Discover our community's history through music during the Tennessee Valley Winds concert at the Stones River National Battlefield Visitor Center at 2 p.m.

October 23-24: Wander through Murfreesboro's most mysterious mansion and explore some of the unusual mourning customs and creepy superstitions of the Victorian era at Oaklands Mansion. Programs will take place from 7 p.m.-11 p.m. Admission is $5 per person. The historic site is located at 900 North Maney Avenue in Murfreesboro.

October 24: Head to historic Cannonsburgh Village and discover more than 100 years of Murfreesboro's history during Harvest Days from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Cannonsburgh Village is located at 312 South Front Street in Murfreesboro.

October 31: Come get your candy, if you dare enter the dimly lit halls at Oaklands Mansion from 4 p.m. until the candy runs out.

For more information on the Sharing Our Past Heritage Month visit http://www.nps.gov/stri/planyourvisit/sharingprograms.htm.

Sharing Our Past partners are Cannonsburgh Village, Eastern National, The Friends of Stones River National Battlefield, The Heritage Center of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County, MTSU History Department, Public History Program at MTSU, Oaklands Mansion, Rutherford County Archives, Rutherford County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Historic Sam Davis Home and Plantation, Stones River National Battlefield, Native History Association, and the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area.